- New York Knicks enter next season with high expectations after surprising playoff run
- Former league executive considers the Knicks among the East’s top elite
- Bobby Marks says Knicks are a potential Finals team this upcoming season
When you consider the favorites to win the NBA title next season, teams like the Celtics, Bucks, and Heat come to mind as the biggest factors in the East. But are we overlooking the New York Knicks? If you ask former front office executive Bobby Marks, the answer is yes and he explained why during an appearance on ESPN Radio’s “Bart & Hahn” program.
“I think there’s a lot of parity in the Eastern Conference here,” Marks said. “I think barring an injury to one of their main guys, I think we should be talking about New York when it comes to representing (in the Finals).”
On paper, the Knicks might not seem like a Finals-bound team but they have enough talent and depth to challenge any opponent. Last year, behind the play of Jalen Brunson, they shocked audiences by finishing 5th in the East and beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
In round two, they gave the Miami Heat a tough fight, pushing the series to six games before finally seeing defeat. While maybe not the ending some Knicks fans were hoping for, there’s a chance that series was just a taste of what’s to come for this franchise.
This summer, while the Knicks didn’t make any serious additions, they brought almost all of their guys back (with the exception of Obi Toppin, who was traded to the Pacers). Now, heading into next season, there is a sense that the Knicks can do even better with further development of their young core that includes RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson.
The key to success, ultimately, rests in the hands of Jalen Brunson, who many believe should have been an All-Star last season. He stepped up as the alpha for the Knicks when everyone counted them out but he’ll have to bring it up to another level if they want to top their performance from last season.
Knicks Are Potential Landing Spot For Joel Embiid
If the Knicks somehow fall apart, they are in a unique position to go star-chasing next summer or even during the season. With most of their picks still available, and a group of young players to include in a package, the Knicks have emerged as heavy contenders in the race for Joel Embiid.
As the reigning MVP, he’s the guy that the franchise and its millions of fans have been waiting for. If healthy, he has the power to make the Knicks an instant Finals contender but there’s no guarantee that he’s coming to save the day.
For the Knicks and their GM Leon Rose, the best course of action may be to wait things out and give this core another chance before risking it all for a big-name talent.
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